Electronic device housing

Abstract

A housing for an electronic device which can be removably mounted onto a mounting rail which includes a locking element located in an underside of the housing. The locking element can be moved from a first position in which the housing can be fastened onto the mounting rail into a second position wherein the housing can be lifted off the mounting rail. The locking element is associated with a retaining element for retaining the locking element in the second position. The retaining element includes a spring section extending substantially parallel to the locking element and a retaining section extending substantially perpendicularly thereto.

We claim:  
     
       1. A housing for an electronic device for removable mounting onto a mounting rail having an edge, the housing comprising: 
       a locking element for locking the housing onto the mounting rail, said locking element positioned at an underside of the housing, the locking element being movable from a first position wherein the housing is locked onto the mounting rail to a second position wherein the housing can be lifted off the mounting rail; and  
       a retaining element for selectively maintaining the locking element in the second position, said retaining element including a spring section extending substantially parallel to the locking element and a retaining section extending substantially perpendicularly to the locking element, said spring section being deflected against an inherent spring force when said locking element is in the first position and relaxed when said locking element is in the second position, a lower edge of the retaining section resting on the edge of the mounting rail when the locking element is in the first position, said retaining section being positioned substantially perpendicular to the locking element and in front of one end of the locking element when the locking element is in the second position, whereby the locking element is fixed in the second position.  
     
     
       2. The housing of  claim 1 , further including a latch nose formed at one end of the locking element for gripping behind the edge of the mounting rail in the first position. 
     
     
       3. The housing of  claim 2 , further including a spring element for forcing the locking element in the first position against the edge of the mounting rail. 
     
     
       4. The housing of  claim 1 , wherein the retaining element is constructed as a resilient metal part. 
     
     
       5. The housing of  claim 4 , wherein the retaining element is fastened to the locking element for permitting a deflection of the spring section perpendicular to a longitudinal axis thereof. 
     
     
       6. The housing of  claim 1 , wherein the retaining element is fastened to the locking element for permitting a deflection of the spring section perpendicular to a longitudinal axis thereof. 
     
     
       7. The housing of  claim 6 , further comprising a limiting element on the locking element for limiting the deflection of the retaining element. 
     
     
       8. The housing of  claim 7 , further comprising an auxiliary actuator for operating the locking element, the actuator being mechanically linked to the locking element. 
     
     
       9. The housing of  claim 1 , further comprising an auxiliary actuator for operating the locking element, the actuator being mechanically linked to the locking element. 
     
     
       10. The housing of  claim 9 , wherein the actuator includes a gripping portion on an end of the housing directed away from the locking element. 
     
     
       11. The housing of  claim 1 , wherein the locking element includes a recess for receiving an operating member at an end directed away from the mounting rail.